Harte Strings: The Billionaire Matchmaker, Part Two Read Online Free PDF Page B

carefully back on the bench and wandered into the bathroom. A deep soaking tub with curtain-less windows above it occupied the prime spot against the wall, a glass-encased shower next to it. The tub was private only because of the densely growing trees that screened it from public view.
    A basket full of obviously expensive bath bombs, shampoos, soaps, and gels sat in the corner of the tub. I lifted one of the beautiful pink and white bombs and inhaled. It was flecked with gold leaf and smelled as heavenly as I imagined it would.
    I set it back down. Again, it was hard not to be impressed by all this. And the thoughtfulness, consideration, and obvious seductiveness behind it. Even the shampoo was the high-end brand I preferred.
    My mind raced—just what kind of woman would look past all this and see the man behind it? And want him only for him, even if none of the rest of this came along for the ride?
    I had the sinking feeling that that kind of woman wouldn’t want this lifestyle if it were handed to her. She was going to be a hard woman to find. Especially given I wasn’t sure I wanted to find her.
    I toured the rest of the suite and marveled at the view. Besides the view of the mountains and forest, I had an excellent view of the patio and pool. At last, I changed into a casual sundress. I had a role to play at dinner. I was relaxing in a chair with my thoughts and a bottle of cold seltzer water from the fridge when Lottie knocked on the door. I invited her in.
    She closed the door behind her and took in my room all in a glance, then whistled softly, almost beneath her breath. “Wow.”
    “Mmmmm.” I nodded. “This can’t be that much more magnificent than your room?”
    She shrugged. “And yet it is. Mine is nice. With a view to the east over the entrance and the south to the forest. But this one!” She rolled her eyes for emphasis. “This is clearly the VIP suite. It must be twice the size of mine.” She grinned. “The perks of being the boss.”
    I laughed. “I guess so.”
    Maybe Lazer was pampering me. Or maybe he was just showing off.
    Lottie spotted the robe on the bench and walked over, lightly fingering it. “When did you get this?”
    “Oh, it’s not mine.”
    She raised an eyebrow.
    “It came with the room. You don’t have one?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
    “Ashley, really?” She used her don’t-play-coy-with-me tone. As if I was just being naïve. “I’m sure it’s yours now. That tiny thing wouldn’t fit most of us.”
    I bit my lip and sighed, my heart pounding. Showering me with gifts, Lazer? Why?
    I shrugged. “I assumed everyone got one.”
    She inspected the robe more closely. “A robe with a gold clasp? I don’t think so.” She paused and scrutinized me. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
    I shrugged again and played innocent. “What would I have to tell you?”
    She sighed. “There was a lesser robe in my room. Hanging in the closet. A nice, thick terrycloth robe. One size fits all. Clearly expensive. Like the upscale hotels provide for guests. Nothing this nice.” She shot me a skeptical look. “You sure there’s nothing?”
    “Lazer’s making a point, is all,” I said. “That he knows how to spoil women. He’s our most high-profile client only under duress. He likes to believe he’s a Casanova of the highest order. He thinks he doesn’t need our help. Don’t let him fool you by this show. He needs us more than he knows.”
    The suspicion left Lottie’s face. I’d already told her the reason Lazer agreed to be our client. Including his reluctance to find a wife. She grinned like a conspirator. “ Men .”
    We laughed together at Lazer’s folly.
    “Who lives like this?” Lottie looked around the room again and made such a whimsical expression that we both cracked up.
    “Lazer, apparently. But only on weekends.” I took a deep breath. “Who are we going to match him with, Lottie? Who deserves all this?”
    “No one deserves all this,”